Announcements

The College Office has Moved

The new College address is:

# 304 13220 St. Albert Trail

Edmonton, AB T5L 4W1

Bill 21 – An Act to Protect Patients

The Alberta government recently introduced new Legislation in Alberta, designed to protect patients from sexual abuse and sexual misconduct, increase survivor supports, and require more transparency for regulatory colleges.

The new legislation applies to all health professionals regulated under the Health Professions Act, including all Dental Technologists and Technicians in the Province of Alberta.

Portions of Bill 21, mostly affecting new applications, are in effect as of November 19, 2018. Most of the new legislative requirements come into effect on April 1, 2019.

Mandatory Disciplinary Actions

Mandatory permanent cancellation of a Regulated Member’s practice permit will occur when a hearing tribunal finds a regulated member’s actions constitute sexual abuse, or if the regulated member is convicted of a sexual offence, assault or disorderly conduct conviction under the Criminal Code.

When a hearing tribunal finds a regulated member’s actions constitute sexual misconduct, there will be a mandatory suspension of the Regulated Member’s practice permit for a minimum of five years.

Regulatory College Requirements

In order to comply with Bill 21, the CDTA is required to create new standards of practice, develop a patient relations program which includes mandatory training programs for all Regulated Members, Council Members, Disciplinary Committee Members, including Public Members, and College staff as well as provide funding for patients who allege sexual abuse or misconduct.

Standards of Practice

Prior to December 31st, 2018, Colleges must establish new standards of practice for sexual abuse and sexual misconduct that must be approved by the Minister of Health.

The new standards of practice must include a definition of “patient” and create rules for when sexual relationships can occur with patients.

Patient Relations Program

Regulatory colleges must provide funding for treatment and counseling for patients who have alleged sexual abuse or sexual misconduct by a Regulated Member.

Colleges must post Regulated Members’ discipline history of sexual abuse or misconduct on a public-facing website.

Financial Implications

As mentioned above, the CDTA is required to develop and enforce training requirements under Bill 21 for all Regulated Members, Council Members, Disciplinary Committee Members, including Public Members, and College staff as well as provide funding for patients who allege sexual abuse or misconduct.

Every Regulated Member of the CDTA will be required to complete the training.

Additionally, the CDTA will be required to establish a fund for patients who allege sexual abuse of misconduct. The required amount of the fund is currently unknown.

In order to comply with requirements under Bill 21, large financial expenditures will be required by the CDTA and its Members.

The CDTA staff are working diligently to meet the new regulatory requirements under Bill 21. Due to the significant workload and extremely tight timelines of Bill 21, CDTA staff will be focusing on the Bill and may not be immediately available to respond to inquiries. Your patience is appreciated while we work through the process.

Proposed amendments to the Standards of Practice will be circulated to the

Continuing Competence Credits and attendance at AGM and FGM Meetings

Members currently earn six "non-technical" continuing competence credits for attendance at either the AGM of FGM and the CDTA recognizes that this may be a concern for some Members. Credits earned for attendance at both the AGM and FGM exceed the number of “non-technical” credits allowed in each cycle. Members are required to obtain 60 credits over 5-years, 2/3 (40 Credits) of which must be “technical credits”. Which means that during a 5-year cycle only three Members Meetings or other non-technical activities, may be used towards the credit requirements outlined in the Dental Technologists Profession Regulation.

The Council would like to encourage Members to provide feedback regarding the Bylaw Amendments or the change to the FGM via email to tara@cdta.ca.

ACCESS TO DENTAL TECHNOLOGY PROJECT

The College of Dental Technologists of Alberta, in collaboration with the Canadian Alliance of Dental Technology Regulators (CADTR), has received funding from the Government of Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP) for close to $575,000 over two years to support the Access to Dental Technology Project (ADT). This pan-Canadian project will help reduce barriers to employment in Dental Technology for internationally trained newcomers to Canada.

The project aims to ensure that Canada has the educated and skilled workforce needed to support professional and economic growth.

Below is a case summary of a recent investigation into a Regulated Member of the CDTA. This information is provided to inform Members regarding the disciplinary process under the Health Professions Act.

In December 2015 and January 2016 Complaints were received from two individuals concerning a Registered Dental Technologist. The complaints were investigated by the College’s Complaints Director and the following allegations were referred to a discipline hearing before a Hearing Tribunal pursuant to the Health Professions Act of Alberta:

1.

In or about 2015 or 2016 or both you provided professional services outside the scope of practice of a Dental Technologist;

2.

In or about 2015 or 2016 or both you engaged in a restricted activity or activities without authorization, contrary to the Government Organization Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. G-10, Schedule 7.1, section 4; and

3.

In or about 2015 or 2016 or both, you engaged in advertising or holding out or both of professional services that were untruthful, inaccurate or otherwise capable of misleading or misinforming the public, contrary to the Health Professions Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. H-7, section 102.

The Hearing Tribunal found the three allegations proven and imposed sanctions. The Dental Technologist appealed the matter to the Council of the College and following an appeal hearing, the Council Appeal Panel found that allegations 1 and 2 overlapped and upheld the Hearing Tribunal’s finding on only one of them. The Appeal Panel also upheld the Hearing Tribunal’s finding of unprofessional conduct on allegation 3. The Council Appeal Panel varied the sanctions such that the following sanctions were imposed:

1.

Reprimand;

2.

Suspension of the Dental Technologist’s practice permit for 30 days;

3.

Suspension of the Dental Technologist’s restricted activities authorization for one year;

4.

$5,000 fine;

5.

Order for the Dental Technologist to write letters to each patient for whom he provided a fixed or removable partial or complete denture, a fixed or removable orthodontic or periodontal appliance or an implant-supported prosthesis over the preceding two years notifying the patients that he may have omitted to refer them to a Denturist or Dentist to verify the final fit of their denture, appliance or prosthesis and advising them to see a Denturist or Dentist as soon as possible.

6.

Costs of the hearing and 75% of the costs of the appeal in the total amount of $30,588.14.

September 13, 2017

Online renewals have been activated for the 2018 registration year. Please log on to www.cdta.ca and renew prior to the November 1st deadline. Please be aware that renewals must be completed prior to 11:59 pm on October 31st. Late Fees will automatically apply to any renewal completed after the deadline. Anyone requiring a status change must contact the College office. Members are not able to change their own registration status during the renewal process.

The online renewal page can be found at www.cdta.ca under "Member Area" - "2018 Online Practice Permit Renewal".

If you are experiencing difficulty logging in, please e-mail the College office at tara@cdta.ca and we will respond with your log on information as soon as possible.

There is a $10.00 fee for a paper renewal form should you require one, again, please e-mail the College office to request an invoice for the form.

The Fall General Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 22 @ 1:00 pm at the Baymont Inn and Suites 4311 49 Ave, Red Deer, AB.

May 15, 2017

AGM/College Update

The Spring AGM was held on Saturday, May 13th, 2017. In total 138 Members were in attendance at the meeting. The College would like to thank those Members who took the time to participate in the AGM.

The College is pleased to introduce the newly elected Council as follows:

President

Brian Cook

Vice President

Dwayne Lesko

Treasurer/Finance Committee Chair

Marinela Seremetkoska

Council Member

Pam Rehm

Council Member

Isabelle Peltonen

Council Member

Grant Maier

Public Member

Douglas Cooper

Public Member

Anthony McClellan

Forming an Alberta Association of Dental Technology

A presentation was given to the Membership at the AGM regarding the possibility of starting a Provincial Association of Dental Technology. The College of Dental Technologists of Alberta (CDTA) is a regulatory College, governed by provincial legislation and is not authorized to perform the functions of an association. Major benefits of forming an association include:

If you have any questions regarding Spectrum Day, we advise you to contact them directly for the latest information.

Phone: 905-489-1970

April 19, 2016

Important information

RE: Work-share program

Dear member,

During these challenging economic times, many Dental Laboratories are finding it difficult to remain profitable even after going through a series of layoffs and/or reduction in the number of employee hours of work. With that being said, the College of Dental Technologists has recently become aware of a Work share program offered by the Government of Canada that provides for income support to allow Employers to retain their employees.

More information regarding the program can be found on Service Canada’s website at: